A cloaked figure that had slipped past the gaurd unnoticed finaly chooses the headchair and pulls out a pipe to smoke. No one had seemed to be coming around here, and thus a safe place to relax. But if found out, that would not be a problem either. From what the figure observed, the people of the castle were friendly if also a little queer.

"And who would you be?" Salek stood in the doorway, arms akimbo. "Unannounced strangers are not welcome here, and if you favor breathing, you will answer correctly. Lie, and your heart will find no reason to beat."

The cloaked figure chuckled sofetly at the new comer's boldness. For along time, the newcomer said nothing, merely blowing blue smoke rings into the air. After what seemed too long, the figure spoke, in a surprisingly musical voice with a natural hardness about it, "I am who you wish me to be. But I also am who you fear me to be." She paused for a moment before continuing. What name would she give the mistress? She never gave anyone her real name.Never. She was never sure on who to trust.She pulled her hood even further over her already shadowed face "Just," She said, "Call me Elane."

Salek laughs grimly, not smiling."Alright. I'll play your little game. You are a spy. And a dead one at that."She throws a blade that goes through Elane's ear deep into the chair. "As I said before. Strangers are not welcome. And you lie." Her voice was flat and very cold.

Elane winces slighty, as she pulls the knife out. "Ye are foolish, love. Making assumptions such as that. Ye do not know what ye are up against. I came not tae harm ye or ye other 2 companions. A he-elf and a she-human. Why be ye so scared of spies,pet?" She chukles, "What dark secrets do ye hold?" The woman throws back her hood. A drow, obviously, from the black skin to the shimmering blue-white hair. "Night always reviels what I am. Do ye believe me now?"

"No."Salek's voice now tinged with amusement, but only slightly. "Spies? Hmmm, I wonder, what damage could spies do in a war?"She holds her hand to her chin, tapping it thoughtfully, sarcastic. "the Bastard Prince will use any race he can to rid the land of us. Does it matter that you are a drow?"She straightens. "Pardon me for not being laid back, but that means death in war. And I am not your pet or your friend at the moment, so cut the pet names." A small bloodred dragon appears beside her, inquiring somwthing invisible. Salek and the dragon seem to hold a conversation, then the dragon nods as if understanding. He suddenly grows to a size about ten times as large as he was. He walks over amiably to Elane, then smiles a toothy dragon grin, not meant to comfort.
--hmm... I wonder what this flesh of yours would taste like...--
the voice comes out of nowhere, never heard, but known despite it.

Elane laughs coldly, not at all menaced by the dragon. "Ye know nothing about Drows then m'dear. We care not fer other race's affairs. But Pray, love. Would a spie openly sit here in Dining room in full view? Would a spy have risked keeping ye alive? And would a spy be dressed as poor as I? Ye may serch my packs as ye wish. Ye will find no picklocking materials or any such nonsense. How do ye answer that?" She was right about her garb. They had definetly seen better days. The lether in her boots were worn so much in some spots, that there were holes. There were patches and stains and rips covering her clothing and her many knives on her looked dull and chipped. "Your dragon yon does not phase me neither. If ye knew the customs of the drow ye would understand. Now tell me, what is the name of the elf? I seek to have an audience with him."

"I do not trust you, but very well. The elf is Andrei. Why you would want him, that is your business. Now, if you are to further stay at this castle, I suggest you get a room, and a job as well, to earn your keep."Salek turns and leaves.

The dragon looks at Elane, curious. He shifted back to a catsized dragon and stood no her head, looking at her face upside down.--You don't look like a drow. You look like you have a cold.--The dragon spoke like a child, forgetting formalities.

Elane laughs and bends over, to scratch the dragon under the chin. "Now who may ye be pet? Have ye seen this Andrei?" she pauses for a moment and shows the dragon a piece of dried venison, "Would ye like some of this, love?"

--My name is Maelek. I'm Salek's Heart's Desire. I've seen him around...he might be in his room. go check the right wing, he might be there.And yes, please, if you can spare it.-- He stood on his hind legs, looking at her intelligently.

"Now what are you Maelek?A dragon or a dog?...I am here Elane!" says Andrei while exiting the shadows...

Maelek flames at Andrei defiantly, then walks dignified out of the room.

Elane raises and eyebrow, "That was hardly called for-" She suddenly realized who was in the room and stood frozen for a moment. She wasn't sure if she should laugh for joy, or cry in sorrow. "I haven't seen an elf in..." She stopped, and made her voice hard, as it had been with Salek, "What Kingdom do you come from? Are you of the far north?"

"Take a wild guess and tell me! Do northern elves preocupy with the study of light?Why are you here?" speaks Andrei after a few moments of silence..."I saw the entire conversation...You risked your life uselessly...

Elane sighs as she puffs one more cloud of blue smoke from her pipe. "I cannot tell you why I am here in a few words or sentences. It is a story, that takes over many years. I do not care if I risked my life uselessly, as long as there is hope still left in the world. If ye wish to here, I will tell ye all, why a drow seeks an elf from the far north, why a drow is so far from her people." Elane gives a small smile, "But then in return ye must tell me yer own. Do ye agree, or no?"

"I agree..." says Andrei grinning."You first."

Elane sits down in a cushioned chair and beckons Andrei to do likewise. For a moment she closed her eyes and hummed thoughtfully. She puts out her pipe as she began to tell. "Many MANY years ago,I lived in a kingdom of Drows." She smiled briefly, re-living what all had happened, "I was the King's Champion. The Warrior that my people depended on. One day,we heard word of a great Dark Lord, from a small group of warriors, desperatly seeking aid. We agreed, realizing the consequences if we did not. During the Great Northern Wars for Freedom, (as it is called now.) I met an elf, Tharon. Youngest son of the King of the Northern Elves. We became fast friends...and then lovers. A decade later, we wed, and I left my people to join his. Even if I chose not too, I had too. My people were furious that I had bonded myself to an elf, (for as you know, elves and drows had never gotten along.) And banished me from my home.But many of Tharon's people despised me. Only his family and a few loyal friends treated me as one of their own.
"One day, I gave birth to a little girl, only to find that she had died several hours later. The elves took this as a bad omen, and so Tharon's fate, and mine, were sealed. Years later, there was a decree that all people should return to their own race and home (This I will not go into either, for it will take many more days to say.) I was thrown from my new home, with the threat of death. I had travel great expanses, while pregnant with our second child. It was a barren place. Hardly any life at all, I still find it a miracle that I survived that all. After I crossed the border, I was met with friends that were still loyal to me and Tharon. There, I gave birth to our son. I soon became ill, from a broken heart." Here she paused in her story, "Do you know how it feels to have your heart torn right from you? The anguish that it brings?"

"I had my heart broken from early age...My home-land was desecrated when I was very young...I've lived with this pain ever since...The culprit was a dragon whose power had grown over-night...I never had the pleasure to kill him: he died betraied by his source of strength: the creature Karmikale.Every traveler needs a purpose to live... mine is revenge!" said Andrei calmly from the chair he had sat on... "Why do you seek me? And quit the sob-storyes...save them for someone that could comfort you! You are an elf and so am I!"

Elane laughs dryly, “I am a drow, young sir, not an elf. Big difference. And I do not seek pity. I may have forsaken the life with my people, but I still hold to our values, I am merely telling a tale to why I am here, and why I saught you out…as soon as I had found out there was any elf at all around.” Elane settled back, studying him for a moment, thinking, ‘more drow then elf…something I haven't seen in a while…our he is just bitter with anger.' She continued, “I nearly lost my sanity several times. My mate and I had a more powerful love then just the simple passion of Mortals.” She spat, “My companions feared for my health, and heard reports that Tharon was in the same state. Several times a year, would they sneak us to the boarder and we would meet, even for but a moment. We did not realize there was a traitor in our midst. My mate was murdered infront of my eyes. After that, I was in no state to be a mother. I gave him to my dearest companions and fortook the life of a wanderer. Assassin, Mercenary. My bitterness was great and all I wished was to murder….especially my spouse's killers. I have met up with some of them…and have killed them, but there are still a few at large. I saught you in case you were one of his murderers, but, if you were not, to seek your wisdom…and for other reasons for my sanity. You are a high elf are you not?” This was a rhetorical question. “But tell me about this Dragon. The Northern lands were torn apart by one…nay…by a demon, in form of dragon. If it be a different one then I think….I may be able to help you out. In costum, a drow must slay a dragon to become a warrior. I was also once the King's Champion, and have had more then enough of militeristic experiences.”

"First of all: drows are elves...a special kind of elves...I have no blood of drow in my veins...just the agony of having no home-land what-so-ever...Who is Tharon?" says Andrei somewhat annoyed of being mistaken...

"I resent what ye have just said, Andrie. I pride meself on bein' drow, and NEVER elf." She sniffed, "An' I apalogize for thinkin' ye act drowish>." Was there slight mockery in her voice. "An' if ye were payin' any attention at all, ye would've heard me say that Tharon was me mate." What kind o' barron be this lad? she thought.

"I think this conversation is going slightly astrai...This dragon, Karmikale...Is the one responsible for the destruction of my home-land...although not directly...he is also keeping Salek's brother hostage also...I have been preparing myself for a jurney that will take Karmikale and hopefully myself across the river Stycs..." said Andrei with somewhat pain in his voice.

Elane stared at Andrei for a moment then said, "Karmikale has Salek's brother hostage...and he is responsible for destroying ye home-land, but not directly..." She began to laugh, "How can he have destroyed ye home-land but not straight forward? Ye either do or ye don't!"

"I know he is responsible for the quick grouth in another dragon's power...A dragon he later betraied and killed...He is responsible and I will have my revenge...
I told my story and the reason I haven't ended my days...what is it that you seek?" finished Andrei with renewed calm in his voice."

"We seek which we know not, and hide which we know. Yet we know not what we seek...quite a riddle, aye?" She got up from the chair with all her belongings an stood near the door way. Her eyes seemed to be laughing, and she grinned knowingly. With that, she glided off, to leave Andrei alone in the dining hall. There was much that she needed to do.

Andrei, slightly stuned by the riddle he remembered from his youth, raised from the table wondering: --A drow comes and seeks my council...and then leaves without any sign and without anything other than telling her tale... --"
Andrei leaves for the entranceway...
-------------

Salek strode into the room and over to the main table, sitting in the chair next to the head. She guestured at one of the orbs and it came, hovering quietly beside her as she waited for Kyren.

Kyren entered the room and stood by Salek. She gave her a questioning look. "Is something wrong?"

Salek blinked. "No. sit down and tell the orb what you want and it'll get it for you." She smiled. "I'll pay."

Kyren blushed. "oh, I'll take whatever's good. Thank you very much." She took her seat as her stomach growled. "Oops." She laughed nervously.

Salek laughed. "Relax. Sheeshk." She guestured for the orb to come closer and it complied. "Get a blacksteam pie and cherry cordial." It zoomed over to the kitchen to tell of the orders. She turned to Kyren. "So, is your father simply going around visiting lords?"

"Honestly? I don't know. He's been very secretive lately. I'm not sure what's going on with him... If he weren't Father, I'd be worried..."

Salek nodded understandingly. "Fathers are a lot of times." the food was brought forth and two plates with silverware appeared. The pie steamed through the small holes in its crust and the cordial appeared in a large bottle, along with two mugs. Salek dug in her pocket and handed the orb 5 silver peices and took a peice of the pie.

Kyren's stomach growled and she took some of the food, delight shining on her face as she bit into the pie. "this is delicious!"

Salek lifted the entire pie peice to her mouth and bit off the end, setting it down and nodding in agreement. "One of my favorite foods here." She poured out the cordial into the two mugs and offered one to Kyren. "Here, have some. It's really good."

She sipped it and smiled. "You're right. This is good." Setting it down, Kyren looked around. "So what is it exactly that goes on around here?"

Elane stops short in the shadows, when she spies Salek and Kyren. "An' I be thinkin' I could avoid th'baron here." She muttered, falling into her natural accent without thinking. She looks behind her shoulder to see if the mage had followed. This was where she had met Andrei, the first imfroment she found. 

Salek glanced back at Elane. "No need to worry, Elane, there's plenty of table for us all." She guestured to the complex and huge wiring of tables before her.

Aj walks in

Elane looks over her shoulder and walks to the table, with her face blank. She sits down in a chair diagnol and opposit of Salek. "Your Heart's Desire is not here with you?" Elane asked, grabbing for a chance at conversation. "Loveable dracon."

Salek snorted, smiling a little. "Ain't eh, though? He's wandering somewhere within this castle, that I know. He's not one to sit in one place for very long." She sat there for a moment, then started. "Oh, sorry. Elane, this is Kyren. Kyren, this is Elane."

Elane juts out her hand to Kyren, but taking in everything in the room and observing Kyren closly

Growing bored Aj walks up behind Elane and firmly but gently pushes her outstretched hand down to the table. "Forget it. She is gone." Aj indicates a hypnotised Kyren. "She prolly won't come to for a while..."

Elane glares slightly at Aj. She waves her hand infront of the hypnotized Kyren and then shrugs. "Dinner anyone? I have been here for nigh three days and not touched a single bit of food. I think I could eat a dragon."

Salek chuckled. "You should have gotten here earlier." She whistled and a sphere stopped in front of Elane. "Just tell it what you want to eat; anything. We'll probably have it." She turned to Aj. "Have we met?"

"I don't believe we have, you must forgive me, I am [Ali jay] but call me Aj for short."

Salek grinned at him. "I'm Salek. I live here."

"Pleased to meet you, m'lady." He says

"And you." Salek grinned. "I'm feeling more social lately. Pull up a chair."

Soon Elane had before her a huge platter of food. She paused long enough only to tie back her long black hair. She gorged into the food, picking between meat and bread and fruit and numerous other foods. She ignored everyone else in the room.

Aj sat down and looked at Elane, he burst out laughing at her eatting style.

She chucked a cleaned chicken leg at his direction, but grins, and wipes her mouth with the back of her hand.

Aj ducks out of the way of the chicken leg and smiles at her manners.

"A lass can not eat in peace anymore." Elane sighed. She took out one of her numerous throwing daggers and carved out pieces of more meat with eat. " 'Sgood stuff." She said, but quickly remembered to cover her mouth. "Want some?"

Salek laughed quietly at Elane and took a long drink from her cup.

"Me? Oh, no thank you lassy, you look like you need it." Aj laughs openly

She didn't argue. Some time later she pushed the plate away from her and gave a content sigh. "That is alot better then some of the things I have had to live off of. Thankyou."

After taking a deep draught of ale. Elane makes herself comfertable her chair and takes out a pipe. "So, tell me about this dragon that everyone seems to be so fond of. That Kraker one. Right? Kamal....Karma...Karmal...Karmak...Kamilik?

Salek smiled wryly. "Karmikale? The bastard prince who wants us all dead?"

"Really is a bastard? I never knew that. I heard rumors on the road, but that was it. Some claim him the son of the gods. But what does he have against the free people?"

"Son of the gods? oh, help us all if he is!" Salek laughed. "Well, we are different. Somewhat more advanced, and we have a connection to another, more science-ruled world, and we get many useful supplies from them.He may have taken this connection as an opportunity for us to rebel, and so decided to kill off the rebellion before it began."

Aj zones out and does some dark brooding as he is prone to.

Elane tosses an apple core to Aj, "This includes you as well, Ali Jay." She hisses over to his way. She turns back to Salek, "Then his is your ruling council?"

The apple core hits Aj on the chin. Deftly he turns his head to look at Elane. "I have no clue what it is you are talking about and second of all I don't see how this includes me...?" He finishes almost defensively, feeling rude for not paying attention.

"Have you not lived in this land? I have hardly been here a fortnight and I have heard of the dragon. If you are in this country,and if you are a free person, then yes, it includes you." The dark elf said curtly.

"I refuse to admit residence here." Aj says stubbornly. "My home is in another place and another time. Truly I don't know why I was sent here, to walk amongst you."

Elane quirked an eyebrow. "Really..."

Salek raised an inquisitive eyebrow. "Sent? Where are you from, pray tell?"

Aj looks at Elane. "Yes.." He turns his head to look at Salek. "I am from a small island community. I was sent from an academy by my instructor."

"Interesting." Salek took a draw from her goblet. "Which one?"

"Which one? Which what? Which academy? Which island?" Aj raises his eyebrows however with out waiting for an answer he continues. "You shall not know anyhow." He simply states.

Salek cocked an eyebrow at him, but shrugged. "Alright. If you wish." She emptied her goblet.

Aj looks down for the brieftest moment and then off to the side looking away from both warriors that are seated with him.

Elane rolls her eyes upward and absent mindedly fingers a dagger. "Just as you wish my friend. But you ares till here and so still involved."

"Then please continue." Aj said in mockness, thingo.

The dark elf gives hima questioning look.

Aj waits for one of the two to begin things where they left off and hopes he can fill in the blanks.

Elane nodds over to Salek, "What are the strengtsh of the fort? Attack is inevitable, do you have strong enough numbers to repel a dragon and his minions? What are the defences? And what of the villagers near by?"

"The villagers do well to stay hidden," Salek said. "Generally they don't communicate with us, as that's very dangerous. The walls of this castle are well built, and several layers of protective prayers wrap around their stones, as spells tend to weaken the strength of a wall, and prayers are more hardy. Our defences are adequate enough. Most attacks recently have mostly been scouts, but we're planning on making our move before he does. We've got enough here to fend him off." Salek took another sip at her drink.

"Why would it be dangerous for the villagers to communicate? They could provide helpful information, and strengthen arms. Especially if you plan on going offense and attack first."

Salek smiled very slightly. "We already have spies, and gathering people to our cause is easy enough. But the Bastard Prince has put out a decree that whoever aids the rebels in their cause would be put to death one way or another. That's all."

Elane rubs her tempels, "Is he your king."


Salek smiled. "Technically? Yes."

"And you hate your king...?"

"Just as much as he hates us."

Aj nods politely, holding all within himself.

"Well, that won't work out to well." Elane chuckled, "One of you must give. I am new to this land, so I do not know if he is an unjust ruler."

Perhaps the only human at the table agreed. "I am new also, I know not if I'm sitting at my would be enemies table or not." His eyes darken. "However I doubt that."

Elane laughed coldly and bitterly, "You would be amazed, AJ, at the treachery one creature would commit to another. Someone you think be your bestfriend, could turn into your mortal enemy in a heart beat. For all you know, Salek or I may be a danger to your well being or others."

Salek supported her head on her fist and smiled contentedly.

Elane rose and bowed before the two. "I plan too look around more, in your castle, if that is alright with the hostess." She asked. "And after I have finished that, I must leave. But I will return." The fighting vagabond of a dark elf backed up slowly, and wrapped her travel-stained cloack around. She had gotten too close. With a thought she dissapeared, only to appear else-where on the fortified grounds.

"Hmmph." Salek glanced at Aj, then stood up. "I have matters to attend to," she said. "Feel free to wander. There are very few places that you cannot go. If you need anything, call, and someone will help. I'll be seeing you," And she turned on her heel and left.

Aj, not knowing why he felt the urgency to come here in the first place doesn't know what to do or where to go. His head begins to swim with all that has been told to him. He puts his head down on the table and within seconds drifts into a deep slumber.

Elane glides into the Dining Hall and grins as she watches AJ sleep. She walks over towards him and slams a dagger into the table besides him to wake him up. "Did you sleep well, magicling?"

A second or two later, as if sluggish, Aj slowly looks up. His gaze levels of and he peirces Elane's eyes with his glazed look. "I did." His voice is croakily fatigued.

Elane gave him a a glass of rum "Maybe this fiery thing will wake you up?" Suddenly her accent changed, "But ye know, I've done some thinkin' in me short stay away, an' perhaps Ah should confess, me name e not Elane."

"We seem to have forgotten that the soulless Kyren and the owner/operator of this dear castle are both still present," Salek mentioned, pulling her cup closer to herself and smiling.

Elane shrugged, "Ye knew that already, remember that dagger ye threw into me ear? Ye knew somethin' was up." the dark elf gave a malicious grin.

"Aye," Salek said, taking a draw off of her cordial. "I tend to project sharp things when I deal with spies. It's a habit, I suppose."

"'Scept ye kept me alive. Why? It were obvious when me accent changed to cultured when speaking with the human Mage, here."

"Well, I can't get a dead spy to tell me anything unless I have a necromancer about the place, now, can I?" Salek asked.

Elane laughed quietly, "Now what makes ye think I'll tell ye anything?"

"Elane, we've been living here for years. Now, you can either tell us what we need to know or we'll kill you. We can't have the Bastard Prince knowing any more than he already knows. We've dealt with more than one spy. We can deal with you."

The dark elf gave a coy smile,"Now then m'dear, where do you think I went when I left yer castle?" the question was rhetorical

Elane got up abruptly and backed away slowly, "The masses will be here in a fortnight...hmmm...almost a pity. I was beginning to like ye two. Mageling, me advice is that ye leave this place." She turned sharply on her heal and glided out. The cards were falling just as she planned them.

"You forget, milady Elane, that this is my turf, not yours. You have been monitered. If you had met anyone when you left, they should be dead before they got anything back to the Bastard," Salek said calmly. "You will stay here for the night." It wasn't something to be questioned.

Elane turned to bow, hiding the smile forming on her lips, "As ye wish, love, fer th'night."

The Dark Elf sits down straight on the floor and closes her eyes, in a state of meditation, seperating her various selves to leave her physical self.

The human mage's face remains passive.

Salek, feeling Elane's mind leaving her body, mentally threw up barriers around the castle to keep her from contacting anyone. The other mages in the castle felt the barrier and sustained it, and Salek left it for them to maintain.

AJ, not feeling at all obliged to help contain Elane reamined impassive.

Elane's grin grew as she sat there meditating. "cracks through the barriers of the earth as part of it I am one, to feel the darkness and the depth and the chaos and the glory of the Spyder Queen, you may have guarded the castle, but you have not guarded all things, my young dove. An 8th has slipt away. 8, the holy and unholy number."

Hmm. Seeklie told me that seven spies were seen and killed on the roads towards the middle isle, but I suppose they had not known of the eighth. This could amount to a problem. Salek frowned gently. She didn't bother to reply to Elane. Privately, throwing up several defenses in case Elane bothered to eavesdrop, she called to Maelek. Maelek. Take a round or two around the island. I want to know if there's anyone who bears the Bastard Prince's aura heading back to his castle. Tell me immediately when you find him. She felt him nod and take off, and she let him take care of that.

"Ye dae noo mind if I drink Ale?" She said getting up. She dared not pull any trick...yet. She knew Salek was too smart for that.

"S'long as you pay for it," Salek muttered absently.

Elane took her word for it, being a rogue with her own strange code of honor. She arose and glided to the kitchen.